Electric-brazing apparatus.



' W. M. FULTON. ELECTRIC BRAZING APPARATUS.

APPLIQATION FILED JAN.26,190L1:

91 6,140, .Patented Mar. 23, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. I 9 J8 l 57 56 7 M65/WVM 5,5% i @EL www@ (g1/wanton W'. M. FULTON. ELECTRIC 'BRAZIING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 26,1190?.

916,140, Patented Mar. 23, 1909.

' a SHEETS-SHEET' a.

' 0M/MW lllllllnlmml @MEZ www w. M FULTON. ELECTRIG BRAZING AEPARTUS.

APPLIGATION: FILED IAN.26, 1907.

Patented Mar. 23, 1909. a SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Wi h1 moes UNITED sTATEs rATENT OFFIOE.

WESTON M. FULTON, OFy KNOXVILLE, TNNESSE, ASSIGNOR TO THE FULTON COMPANY, OF

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

ELECTRIC-BRAZIN'G APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 23, 1909.

y Application filed January 26, 1907. .Serial No. 354,300.

class referred to in which the overlapping edges of the metal are `ressed together between heating bars yie dingly held against the work by non-heat-conducting clamping bars. While the bars are in brazing position the heating current either direct or alternating., is passed through the heatinfr bars, which are insulated from the work, j[Thereby melting the cementing material between the lapped edges and closing'the seam.

rlhe present invention embodies improvements vupon the invention disclosed in my prior Patent 853,351, and has among its principal objects to reduce the/heat losses during the period of brazing and thereby economize in the use of the electric current to overcome, when using an alternating current, the evil effects of induced currents which' may be setl up in the work and which cause an imperfect and unsatisfactoryT seam; to secure a better distribution of heat in the tubular body, whereby theoverlapping edges of the seam will not be warped during bra-zing; and to generally improve the construction of cleotric brazing machines and methods of braz- -l/vith the above objects in view, the invention consists of the improved features of construction hereinafter described and then pointed out in the claims.

'While the invention is capable of receiving various mechanical expressions without departing from the principle thereof, the preferred embodiment is shown for the purpose of illustration in the accompanying drawings; in which- Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the machine, partly in section.; Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line 2-2, Fig. 1; Fig. 3, is a detail perspective view of an electric conductor; Fig. 4 lis a sectional. view on, the line 4-1-4, Fig. 1; Figs. 5.and 6 are detailsl showing different methods of forming the- 'my above patent No. 853,351.'

terminal of a source of 95 seam;- Figs. 7, 8 and 9 are diagrammatic 55 views showing unequal distribution of heat and its distorting effect on the seam.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the working parts of' the' machine arc preferably supported bv two vertical posts 1, 2, one of which is provi ed with a'base-plate 3 to be secured floor, and the other with a projecting foot 4 which may be bolted to plate 3. The

upper end of post 2 is provided with' an openinf1F for receiving one end of a horn 5, prefer- 65 ablly seniicircular in cross-section and of metal having high conductivity, such. as copper. T he horn 1s insulated from the post by means of an insulating bushing 6 of hard iiber and serves the double electric conductor of low resistance and a support for one of the heating or brazing bars 7 and its heat lagging backing 8. The top face of the horn 5 is provided with-a [ongltudin al groove 9 for receiving the heat lagf 75 ging bar 8, which is made of refractory ma'-v terial such as fire-clay or fire-clay containing graphite and capable of insulating the horn 5 rom the brazing bar 7, which rests in a groove 10 in the upper face of the heatlag ing bar 80 One end of the heatingv or brazing ar 8 is 1n metallic contact with the horn 5 through'a cable 11, which, as shown, may be connected to the downturned end of the bar and. to the horn by a brazed or other suitable connection. The o positc end of the brazing-bar 7 connects wit a cable 12 through a self-adjusting device consisting of a connector 13 of metal mounted on an insulating block 14 sliding on rods 15 in a recess in the top of 90 post 2 only one of which rods appears 4in the drawing. This adjusting device is not a part of the present invention and it is claimed in The horn 5 connects with one current, such as a transformer 16, by means of a flexible cable 17 preferably attached to the end of the horn Where it projectsA through the openingin post 2.

The movable'brazing bar 18,v like its sta- 100 tion-ary companion. bar `7, is of refractory metal, such as iron Or nickel, which, though a'conductor of electricity, offers sufficient resistance thereto to-enable heat to be rapidly zfrio current therethrough. This bar- `1,8 is suspended.- from'- a rectangular electric condoctor 19: which is `best shown in Fig. 3. As

urpose of an 70 Generated therein by the passage of an elechere shown the conductor consists of a long rectangular metal frame, preferably of coper, having a central longitudinal o ening or receiving a plurality of T-sha e heatlagginf members 20. Each mem er 20 is provi ed with side shoulders 21 for taking over the side bars 22 of,the conductorl9, and is of sumcient length to extend somewhat beyond the lower face of the conductor when the shoulders 21 are sup orted by the side-bars 22. Near one en and in the lower side of conductor 19, is a recess 23 for receiving a self-adjusting connector 24 for making electric connection between the e .ds of cable 12 and of brazing bar 18, and in all respects like the connector abo've described for connecting bar 7 and cable 12. The outer end of brazing bar 18 may be, and preferably is, electrically connected to conductor 19 by means of a flexible cable 25, which has one 'end connected to the upturned portion of brazing-bar 18 and its o posite end inserted in a recess and brazed to the end of conductor 19. A. cable 17 connects the transformer 16 with the end of the conductor 19. The terminal of the cable is preferably inserted in a recessed hub 19 and secured therein by brazing. For the purpose of preventing the brazing-bar from sagging, panticularly when the bar is heated in its raised osition, -each of the heat-lagging members 1s provided in its lower face with a retaining groove 26 which is Wider atits base than at lts top. 35

The bar is made of a similar crosssection to the slots, whereby it may be held therein in any position of the conductor 19.

The conductor 19 carrying the brazin -bar 18 and' heat-lagging members 20 is raise and vlowered by means of avertically movable bolster 27 having four depending side arms 28 provided with inwardly projecting shoulders 29 which take under the side bars 22 to raise and to lower the conductor. Between the lower face of the bol t the heat-lagging member p for applying a yielding pressure to each. member 20 when the brazing bar 18 is lowered into brazing position on the work. As an example of'such means, ll provide plates 29 which rest on the tops of the members 2O and which have guide stems 30 enterin holes 31 in bolster 27. Around each stem etween the bolster and plate is a spring 32 which transmits a yielding pressure to the several heat-laggin members when the 'bolster 27 has lowere the bra'zing-bar into brazing position, and continues its downward movement, as will be more fully explained later.

lProjecting from the sides of the conductor 19V are guide p ins 33 which have for their object toprevent lengthwise movement of the conductor 19 between arms 28.

The post 1 is provided with a horizontally projecting arm 34 terminating in a head 35 aving a rectangular recess 36 in which is tcierro ted a cross-head 37 of bolster 27, and which is retained in the-.recess by metal plates 38, 38 bolted to the faces of the walls 39 and cxtending somewhat over the recess andthe cross-head. Revolubly mounted on a pin .40 fast in the head 35 1s an eccentric cam 41 having a slot 42 concentric with the camsurface. The cam is also provided with a handle 43 for imparting movement to the same. A pin 44 fast to an extension of the cross-head 37 engages the slot 42 vihile the face of the cam engages a friction-roller 45 loosely mounted on apin 46 projecting from the face of the cross-head. lt will be 1seen from this construction thatwhen cam-handle 43 is lowered sufficiently the outer cam face bears against roller 45 and forces the cross-head 37 down, and 'when the'handle is raised the pin 44 bears on the 4lower face of the cam-slot 42 and lifts the cross-head.

l may,` and preferably do, provide means for cutting offv the heating current when the brazing-baris lowered into heating contact with the work, such as b a flexible cable 46 connecting the cam-han le with the' pivoted handle 47 of the current controlling switch 48. Movement of the handle 47 to the left lowers the cam and also withdraws the switch blade and breaks the circuit, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

To enable the work to be supported between and out of contact with the brazingbars while the latter are being heated, I provide a vertically movable work-supporter. The means for operating the supporter is preferably actuated by power transmitted to it from some part of the movable cross-head or bolster above referred to, Referring to Fig. 2, a trough-shaped body 49, having legs l 50-50 rests upon the base-plate 3. Near each end of the body 49 are pivoted two rods 51, 51, each of which is provided with a Ipair of eccentrics 52, which engage in ourna s in the de ending walls 53 of an inverted troughshape body 54 upon which are secured two inverted U -shaped work-holding members 55: Rods 51, 51 are of sufficient length to extendthrough the sides of the body 49 on one side thereof and are each provided with crank-arms 56, 56 fast thereto, and are connected together through a driving ,member 57 which is provided with a stud 58 engaging in a slot59 in o ne arm of `a bell-crank lever 6() which is pivotally supported von a bracket 60/ extending from the trough body 49. The other arm of thebell-crank lever is pivotally connected to a vertical driving shaft 61 which receives power through an arm 62 fast'I to the vertically movable bolster 27 The'work support moving means is so proportioned that the motion received by it fromthe moving v'bolster will causethe suport to move about one-half as fast as the 1 olster, the purpose of which will appear be'- To'enable a better understanding cf the method of brazing carried ont by aid of the above-described machine, an explanation will be made of what takes place during the process of brazing lap ied'edgesef a sheet of metal to form a tubular body when the brazing-bars are heated to the brazing temperature while in heating contact with the seam as heretofore racticed in electric brazing *machines 1 e sheet of metal, after lbeing bent into tubular form, is clamped between two brazing-bars at its over-lapping edges with the usua .cementing material and flux applied between the lapped edges. The current is then turned en to heat the Vbars and also the seam which is in heating contact withthe bars .but insulated therefrom. During the time the bra'Zing-bars are being heated by the current the metal walls of thetube receive heat by ccnduction and radiation from the brazing-bars, thereby causing an unnecessary loss of heat from the bars during their heating period preparatory to brazing. Since the production cf heat by the electric current is expensive, it becomes a matter ef much practical importance l to avoid unnecessary lcsses of heat during the brazing operation, and especially where such losses are accumulative, as in electric brazing. I Atherefore rovide for heating the welding bars whi e they are out of heating contact with the seam,` and thereby avoid the dissipation of heat by conduction along the walls Aof the tube, vand further by passing the heating current through the raZing-bars while out of contact with the seam I am also enabled to heat them more quickly, because in a given length of time less heat is given to surroinding bodies.

Referring to Fig. 7, it will be evident that the longer the heating-bar is-in contact with the seam the farther the heated area extends away the seam, the lines cf highest temperature (1506o F., fair example) ocerrring at the center of the seam, the temperature falling off to either side. `As rapidity of brazing is desired, the current is cut oif the instantv the cementingl material melts. The source of heat being withdrawn the cementing material sets before the distribution of heat around the tube is established. The result lis that the metal at the edges of the seam expands more than it does along lines back from the edges. rThe edges take en a fan-shape, `as seen in Fig. 9, and the -finished tube is of smaller diameter at the middle than at the ends.

for a better distribution of heat in the work by heating the tube at points o pcsite the seam, whichmay be done by cc lapsing the tube, as indicated in Figs, 2 and 5 and en 'opposite sides ofthe tr be, or, as shown 1n Fig. 6, by placing one of the bars inside the tube and in heating edges overlap to form a To overcomethisl unequal expansion of the metal, I provide' left, thereby causing contact with that portionof the tube opposite the seam and insulated therefrom by asbestos er mica sheets 65.

Owing to the great facility with which an alternating current can be transmitted, the heating of the brazing-bars is perfectly effected by aid of an alternating current. x

In )assing such a current through the bars whi e they are in close proximity to the sea-m, but separated therefrom by thin insulating material, eddy currents are set up in the metal tube which at times seriously interfere -with the brazing by setting up electrolytic action in the flux, er by causing through electric-repulsirm beth the flux and cementing material to be driven from between the lapped edges of the seam, particularly when using an alternating current of large amperage and low voltage.

therefore prefer to pass the alternating current through the bars while they are out of heating contact with the werk andto cut the crrrent while the bars are heating the seam to the brazing temperati're.

In view of the foregoing expla ations, I will now describe the method of blrazing as carried out in the machine above described. A sheet of metal is bent so -that its opposite collapsed tube having rounded bends, as indicated in Fig. 2 for example. The heating bars 7 and 18 are then separated by moving farm 43 to the right and the folded sheet of', metal is placed on the railings 55 of the work-supporter, the overlapping edges of the seam being directly between the heating .bars but not in contact with either. The usual flux, with a strap of 'spelter, is inserted between the overlapping edges, and a strip of heat-resisting and sulating material, such as asbestos paper 63, is inserted between the lower inner side of the tube and the lower lapped edge to prevent any small portion of surplus spelter from cementing together the wa ls of the collapsed tube- The upper overlappinged e is preferably made to extend somewhat eyond the edge of the upper heating bar inorder to prevent anysurplus spelter from adhering to the bar, as shown in Fig. 2. Switch 4S is now closed, permitting current from the transformer to pass through the two bars in series. The path of the current during a given period is by Way of cable 17 from the transformer 16, conductor 19, cable 25, heating! bar 18, connector 24, cable 12, connector 13, heating-bar 7, cable 11, horn 5, cable 17 to terminal of transformer 16. In closing the switch'48 the flexible cable is rendered taut. As'soon as the heating bars are at the required temperature handle 113 is turned to the the cam 41 to depress' bolster 27 and brazing-bar 18. 'Ihe vertical driving member 61, pivotally connected to arm 62 of bolster 27 also descends and in doing so operates the bell-crank lever 60 and The connecting mcans between the driver 61 supporter are so adjusted that the work will be lowered into place on the lower brazingbar at substantially the moment when the upper bar' is seated on the seam. In clamping the work, lbolster 27 is forced downward to compress springs 32, thereby causing arms 25g, 28 to descend and permit conductor 18 tol leave members 20 free to adjust themselvesl to any slight irregularities along the heating bars and thus insure that the seam shall be securely clamped at all points along the bars. In the act of turning arm 43 to lower'the upper brazing-bar 18 the cable 46 acts on the handle of the switch 48 and cuts off the current before the heating bars come in contact with the work. The bar is prevented from sagging while in its heated condition by reason of the retaining grooves 26 in the members 20. The highly heated bars coming in contact with the work immediately melt the spelter, but since they arein contact with the relatively cold work they rapidly cool below the, melting point of the cementing material, thereby enablin the work to beimmediately removed, enab ing a saving of time and heating current over that required were the bars raised to the brazing temperature while in contact with the work. It is also tobtJ noted that there cannot possibly be any electrelytic action on the flux for the reason that the current has been cut oiiI before ,the bars contact with the work. Distortion'has also been avoided by reason of the peculiar form into which the sheet has been folded, whereby heat is imparted to the seam and also to the region opposite the seam, thereby causing a greater uniformity in the expansion of the metal-and production of a tube of uniform diameter. As soon as the seam is made the upper bar is raised by a reverse action of the lever '43 and the work is removed. The switch remains open because of the iexible cable connection, thereby safeguarding the machine. opened out into true cylindrical shape, as by passing it through a slip-roll former, or by drawing it over a mandrel. The narrow strip which extended beyondthe edge of the heating-bar may be cut oif to produce a amistad y width of the face appearance, or, in case the tube is to be corrugated and Inadeinto a collapsible and eXpansible vessel, it may remain without disadvantage. To avoid this flap the lap-seam may be made narrower than the Vof the heating or brazing bar, as shown in Fig. 5, in which case the face of the bar is preferablyV protected from the spelter by a piece of asbestos 64, or' a facing of'mica, or the bar made of carbon to which the spelter will not adhere.

While I prefer touse two heating-bars in the manner described, articularly as two bars give a better distributionv of heat than The work is now tion on the flux, are not present when thetwo opposite Walls of the collapsed tube are near together. Whatever induction'is present to set up eddy currents in the tube, such currents are neutralized and do not ali'ect the uX. This has been demonstrated by eX- periment.

If desired, the brazing-bars may be partly heated by the current while they are outv of heating contact withthe work and then brought in heating contact therewith while continuing the current, without de arting iromthe spirit of my invention. n this case, the work must be insulated from the The benefits of the method Will of heat, though bar or bars. still be apparent in a saving not to the same extent.

What is claimed isz- 1. In an electric brazing machine, the coinbination of a work-supporting. horn, a workcarrier, an electricallyheated brazing-bar, means for moving the same into and out of brazing position, carrier-operating means controlled by the bar moving means, and means for cutting oii vthe current from the brazingbar when the latter moves into brazing position.

2. In an electric brazing machine, the combination of Work-su portingmeans, an electrically-heated braZmg-bar movable into and out of brazing position, and automaticmeans for cutting off the current from the brazingbar when the latter moves into brazing position.

3. In an electric brazing machine, the combination of work-supporting means, an electrically-heated brazing-bar, a frame forsupporting said bar, a plurality of heat lag ing spring-pressed mem ers normally carrie by said frame, and means in loose engagement with the frame and said members to raise and lower the frame and to apply distributed pressure to said bar when in brazing position. s

4. In an electric brazing machinegthe combination of work-supporting means, an electrically-heated brazing-bar movable into and out of brazing position, and yieldingly pressed heat-lagging members for distributmg pressure to saidbar when in brazing position. l

5. In an electric brazing machine, the combination of a brazing-bar, a heat-lagging member having a retaining-groove for receiving and retaining said bar in alinementy when the latter isheated out of brazing position, 'ay current-conducting frame supporting said member, and means or'raising and lowering said frame.

6. In an electric brazing machine, the combination of a brazing-bar, a horn of high conductivity metallicly connected to said bar, and a heat-lagging member supported by said horn and supporting said bar, and maintaining it in alinement.

7. .In an electric brazing machine, the combination of a movable heating-bar and a plurality of spring-pressed means forapplying pressures along the bar when heated to conform the bar to irregularities inthe seam to be brazed. A

8. In an electric brazing machine, the combinationof la movable bolster, a conductor detachably connected to said bolster, a brazing-bar movable with said conductor, and means for applying a yielding pressure to said 'bar after a 'predetermined traverse of said bolster.

9. In an electric brazing machine, the combination of Work supportmg means, an

electricallyT heated brazing-bar, a frame sup-v porting said bar, spring pressed heat lagging means engaging said bar and normally carried by said frame, and a member for raising and f lowering said frame and movable relatively l holding t thereto for applying pressure to said spring pressed means when the frame is in brazing position.

10. In an electric brazing machine, the

:combination of awork supporting horn, 'an

electric brazing bar movab e -into and out of osition, a work. carrier normally brazing e Work out ofcontact with said bar -during passage of heating current therethrough, bar moving means, and means controlled by said first-named meansfor moving the said carrier into brazingp'osition. v

' 11. In an electric, brazing machine, the

.combination of a stationary work sup orting horn, a movable frame opposite said orn, a brazing bar movable with said frame, heat lagging members retained in operative osition by said frame, and means for app ying distributed pressure through said members f to said bar when the latter Isin brazing positionly j1'2..In an' electric brazing machine, the combination of a stationary Work supporting horn, a movable frame opposite said horn, a brazing' bar movable with said frame, heat lagging members retained in operative position bysaid frame, said members having grooves for retaining said bar in alinement when heated out of brazing position and means for applying distributed pressure to said bar when the latter is in brazing position.

13. In an electric brazing machine, the combination of a work-supporting horn, an electrically heated brazing bar, a frame for supporting the same, a plurality of heat lagging pressure members carried by said frame,

a vertically movable bolster having members.

loosely engaging said frame, and springs between the bolster and said pressure members for applying a yielding pressure to said bar when in brazing position.

14. In an electric brazing machine, the combination of a work-holding horn, a vertically movable electrically heated brazing bar above said horn, yielding pressure distributing means engaging said bar to keep the bar`in alinement when out of brazing position and for a plying distributed pressure to the same W en in brazing position.

15. In an electric brazing machine, the combination of a movable bolster, a conductor detachably connected to said bolster, a brazing bar movable with said conductor,

resilient pressure means intermediate lsaid bolster and bar,` and cam means for raising and lowering said bolster and for applying pressure to same after apredetermined traverse of saidbolster.

16. In an electric brazing machine, the combination of a pair of electrically heated brazing barsone of which is movable, a work carrier normally holding the work between the said bars land out of con-tact therewith S l during passa e of the heating current through the bars, an means for opening thecircuit through said bars as the movable bar moves into brazing position.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specicat-ion in the. presence of two subscribing Witnesses. f v

WESTON M. FULTON. Witnesses: A

' J. C. TYLER,

E. J. S. HYATT. 

